As the largest city in the country, Ho Chi Minh City, after the merger, has more than 5,000 preschools , over half a million children, and more than 64,000 administrators, teachers, and staff in the preschool sector. In this new context, given the city's unique role as a pioneer in education and training, teachers are compelled to proactively improve their capabilities to adapt to change.
Ms. Ai, Ms. Thu, and Mr. Duy (from left to right) , dynamic preschool teachers who are constantly learning.
PHOTO: THUY HANG
Eager-to-learn teachers motivate children.
Ms. Vo Thi My Ai, 34 years old, a teacher at Soc Nau Kindergarten, An Hoi Tay Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, came to the teaching profession out of a love for children. That's why, although she initially studied hotel and restaurant management, after getting married and becoming a mother of two young children, she pursued a degree in early childhood education (Ho Chi Minh City University of Education) to dedicate herself to nurturing, caring for, and educating children for many years. Currently, she is working while simultaneously pursuing a second degree in English at a university.
"As preschool teachers, we help stabilize the class and support the children during English lessons with native English-speaking teachers. In addition, in some educational activities at school, I can integrate knowledge units, helping children review vocabulary learned in English class, such as numbers, colors, animals, etc., helping them enjoy learning a foreign language," Ms. Ai shared.
Ms. My Ai has received numerous awards and commendations during her career, including: Excellent Teacher at the City level for the 2024-2025 school year; Excellent Teacher at the school and district levels (before July 1, 2025, this was also the district/county level); Outstanding Young Teacher of Ho Chi Minh City in 2024; and a commendation from the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City for the 2023-2024 school year.
She shared that her reason for pursuing a second degree in English was that knowing a foreign language, especially English, broadens a teacher's knowledge base. "Being a teacher doesn't mean you have to stop learning. When teachers diligently read books and research various fields, it motivates children to be more eager to learn," Ms. Ai said.
Teacher Thai Hong Duy is always loved by the children.
PHOTO: THUY HANG
DO N'T CONSIDER INTRODUCING ENGLISH TO CHILDREN AS JUST THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ENGLISH TEACHERS .
At 30 years old, Ms. Nguyen Anh Thu has been a teacher at Tan Phong Kindergarten in Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City for over 6 years. She graduated from the Central College of Pedagogy, then obtained a degree in early childhood education from Vinh University, and holds a required English proficiency certificate. However, Ms. Thu believes that to become a more competent and better teacher, her learning cannot stop.
Besides participating in regular professional development programs organized by the school, the professional cluster, and the Department of Education and Training, Ms. Thu proactively engages in self-study to improve her expertise. In addition to skills in caring for, nurturing, and educating children, she also studies AI in lesson design. Furthermore, according to Ms. Thu, preschool children today are very intelligent, with many possessing good English listening and speaking skills, which requires teachers to also improve their English proficiency.
Ms. Thu said that preschool children usually have two 30-minute sessions per week to learn English with a foreign teacher. During this activity, the classroom teacher assists the foreign teacher in maintaining order and caring for the children. This is also an opportunity for Ms. Thu to observe the teaching methods of the foreign teacher, the content that children enjoy, etc., which she can then apply to the educational activities she organizes.
"Children acquire new languages quickly and naturally. They can learn English through songs, stories, and daily interactions with teachers. In my opinion, for English to become a second language in schools, children should be exposed to an English-speaking environment more often, not only from foreign teachers but also from the teaching staff who interact with them daily. This will be more effective in the long run," Ms. Thu said. This is also why she often organizes English lessons for children through simple songs and dances, engages in conversations with them at the beginning of class, reminds them to drink water, wash their hands, etc.
Ms. Thu teaches children English through songs.
PHOTO: THUY HANG
It opens up many opportunities to access creative knowledge resources.
Mr. Thai Hong Duy, 30 years old, a teacher at the 19/5 Kindergarten in Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), is recognized as an outstanding young teacher in Ho Chi Minh City in 2024. He has also received numerous other titles and awards. Mr. Duy was recognized as an excellent teacher at the school level in the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years; received a certificate of merit from the Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City; a certificate of merit from the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; and was recognized as an excellent kindergarten teacher at the city level in the 2024-2025 school year…
Mr. Duy graduated from the Early Childhood Education Department of Saigon University and also holds a Bachelor's degree in English from another university. The male teacher stated that he recognizes the importance of foreign languages today; English also opens up many opportunities to access creative knowledge, helping teachers gain a richer understanding. He shared: "I pursued a second degree in English to improve my English skills, overcome limitations in pronunciation and vocabulary, and enhance communication with foreigners."
Teacher Duy said that at the 19/5 Kindergarten in the city, all English introductory lessons are taught entirely by native English-speaking teachers. Teacher Duy assists in arranging the classroom environment, preparing teaching equipment, managing group discipline, and helping students learn effectively. In addition, during playtime activities, Teacher Duy helps the children listen to, practice, and review English songs related to the lesson theme to help them memorize vocabulary effectively…
Ms. Ai is participating in an activity to help children recognize colors and name them in English.
PHOTO: THUY HANG
Preschool teachers want to receive proper training to become more confident.
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, by 2030, approximately 12,000 additional English teachers for preschools and nearly 10,000 for primary schools will be needed, along with training for at least 200,000 teachers capable of teaching in English, in order to implement the strategy of making English a second language in schools.
According to Circular No. 50/2020 of the Ministry of Education and Training on the promulgation of the English familiarization program for preschool children, Vietnamese teachers are eligible to participate in organizing the program if they meet one of the following criteria: (a) Have a college degree or higher in English pedagogy, English language, or English; have completed a professional training program on early childhood education pedagogy or methods for introducing English to children organized by a college or university that trains preschool teachers. (b) Have a college degree or higher in early childhood education, and have an English proficiency certificate at level 4 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam.
According to the regulations, preschool teachers with a second degree in English are qualified to teach English at the school. However, Mr. Thai Hong Duy said: "To effectively teach English to children at school, teachers themselves must research and understand the English curriculum suitable for their age group, thereby building sufficient knowledge to teach by topic and practicing pronunciation to ensure children receive the most accurate knowledge from the beginning."
From there, Mr. Duy suggested: "Programs for preschool children to become familiar with English have been implemented, and the methods that have proven highly effective in schools can be analyzed and used as models in intensive training sessions for teachers, so that teachers can promptly grasp the knowledge and methods."
Ms. Nguyen Anh Thu also hopes that the city's preschool teachers will participate in well-structured training courses on professional skills and methods for introducing English to preschool children.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khi-giao-vien-mam-non-hoc-tieng-anh-185251029191128601.htm
Comment (0)